Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake – World Explorer, Feb. 2020

Trip Summary

About the Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake Itinerary

You’re ready to explore King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula—and no Drake Passage crossings are required! With a spectacular aerial view, included charter flights between Punta Arenas and Antarctica have you experiencing the majesty of the 7th continent before transferring you to your ship in no time. For those who don’t have the time or are not interested in cruising across the Drake Passage, this is the trip for you.
Keep your camera ready as you cruise in a Zodiac in search of whales, seabirds and astounding icebergs. Beaches dotted with leopard seals and penguins give way to icy plateaus, with snow-capped mountain peaks looming behind. You’ll find yourself thankful for the near-constant sunlight by which you can continue to take it all in.
Expedition in Brief
• Experience the fastest, most direct way to Antarctica
• Fly over the Drake Passage
• Marvel at all the Antarctic Peninsula highlights
• Enjoy on-board lectures and educational presentations from polar specialists
• Take advantage of such inclusions as domestic flights, gratuities, and drinks aboard all-suites ship, the Island Sky

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas

Your adventure begins with an included flight from international gateway Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile, the most populated city in Patagonia. You will be transferred to the included group hotel. In the afternoon, a representative will meet you at the group hotel, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and be briefed about preparing for your embarkation day.

Day 2: Charter Flight & Embarkation

Your charter flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will have you crossing the legendary Drake Passage in only a few hours. Far below, the ship will approach King George Island for your arrival. Your first glimpse of dramatic Antarctic landscapes will be from a unique perspective, as your plane descends for landing in the South Shetland Islands. After landing, stretch your legs and spend time exploring the island before being transferred by Zodiac to your ship to set sail for the Antarctic Peninsula!

Days 3-6: Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

There are few places in the world as evocative as Antarctica. As your ship approaches the White Continent, you may be overcome by feelings of excitement and awe. Much of Antarctica is indescribable and can only be fully appreciated through your own eyes.

As your captain and expedition team keep a lookout for whales and seabirds, you’ll be alerted to any new sightings. Our team of expert lecturers will also provide in-depth explanations of the geology, history and wildlife of the region.

Even more exciting are your daily land excursions. Your first Zodiac landing is something you’ll never forget! Walking up to a beach dotted with penguins and seals is the most intimate way to experience the unique wildlife of Antarctica.

Each landing is different and is dependent on weather, but every day presents new sightings and photo opportunities, and it won’t be long before you can tell the difference between an Adélie, gentoo or chinstrap penguin.

You may take a Zodiac cruise in search of whales and icebergs around Pleneau Island one day, followed by a hike to a penguin rookery the next day. From the booming sound of a calving glacier at Neko Harbor to the thrill of watching a leopard seal as it hunts a penguin, you’ll wake up early and welcome each day with a sense of excitement and a desire to explore that which is unrivaled by any other travel experience.

Your expedition team will be with you all along the way, providing insights into the places you visit.

Day 7: Flight to Punta Arenas

After your week of exploration, you’ll say goodbye to your expedition team and disembark at King George Island. Your three-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile, brings your adventure to an end. After your transfer from the airport to the hotel, you are free to explore and enjoy one final dinner to reminisce about the sights and sounds of Antarctica.

Day 8: Depart Punta Arenas

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Punta Arenas airport for your included return flight to Santiago.

Important reminder:
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Welcome Aboard the World Explorer

Bar

Infinity Suite

Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy—these attributes and more describe World Explorer. Not only will it be among our fastest ships, it will also be one of our finest, with six tiers of deluxe accommodation.

The personal space is exceptional. Every cabin has either a private walk-out or Juliet balcony for direct ocean views. World Explorer also delivers plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge for quiet contemplation and full skyline views, the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat, and the library for more intimate relaxing and reading. Presentations and discussions are facilitated in a dedicated lecture theatre.

Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor running track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers. For the active adventurers, add-ons include kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding.

Blending high design with total functionality, World Explorer is all set to be your home away from home on the seas.

Technical Specs

Staff and Crew: 125

Guests: 176

Length: 126 meters

Breadth: 19 meters

Draft: 4.7 meters

Propulsion: 2 x Rolls Royce 9,000 kw hybrid diesel/electric

Ice Class: 1B

Cruising Speed: 16 knots, in open water

Registration: Portugal

Lifeboats: 2, fully-enclosed

Cabins & Amenities

All cabins have exterior views and private bathroom facilities

TV and safe in every cabin

Individual temperature controls

Electrical supply: 220v

Chef-prepared meals (all meals and daily snack included)

One dining room with unreserved seating

Bar staffed by a professional bartender serving a selection of soft drinks, juices, liquors, spirits, beer and wine, which can be charged to your shipboard account

Adventure Options: Kayaking – $995 (for those who want to kayak during entire voyage & have previous experience) OR paddling – $225 (for those w/o experience who want to kayak one time during the voyage), Camping – $295, Stand-up Paddleboarding – $225, Snowshoe-Included. Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability.